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TABLE OF CONTENTS

04WE MEN CARE

11JCI WeekRestoring Hope in

The Midst of a Pandemic

1823

PLAY IT FORWARDSynergy of Mind, Body & Soul

TOSMTen Outstanding Students

of JCI Makati

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MINDaNOWUniting of Culture and Traditions

Sinag-Aralan

On this issue we feature gratitude and appreciation to those people who selflessly dedicated themselves not only in doing what they pledged as their career, but in helping this nation combat the deadly pandemic.

Fearful as they may be, sometimes they were left with no choice, but to go out and face the threat of covid-19 head on. Early into the pandemic, we’ve seen front liners sacri-ficing their family life over work to survive.

Some would want to give up, but they did not for the sole purpose of trying to earn a living, but most did not give up, because they felt that they need to support their countrymen with the skills and knowledge that they have acquired in the medical field.

Regardless of their reason, we are thankful to all of them. We celebrate them, their life, their sacrifices thru the best way we know how due to the limitations of the rule on mobility. We, at JCI Makati will continue to pray for everyone’s safety.

Marc QueañoEditor-in-chief

CUTTING BARRIERS TO SAVE LIVES

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In the same year he entered JCI, he was about to finish his Entrepreneurial Management degree at the University of Asia Pacific (UAP). He also introduced the movement to his friends, Hegem Furigay and Xiameer Valdeavilla. Through this membership, they were motivated to become active citizens in their community. Eventually, the two created their own separate success, making their way to become Chapter Presidents. Hegem continued to become the 2017 National President of JCI Philippines and Xiameer built himself to become the founder of the Pinay Power National Program. It is a common desire for most to lead - to be a shepherd to a herd. But what does it take to be an effective leader? It entails huge responsibility towards a chief for they are looked upon for key decisions and they are credited for both good results and bad ones. To be a great leader, one should learn how to be a great follower. However, a follower doesn’t mean blind loyalty, it means observing education from a judiciously chosen person to follow. Kurt did just that. He served sixteen (16) JCI Philippine National Presidents, sixteen (16) JCI Makati Past Presidents in various board positions in JCI Makati throughout his career from being a commissioner, Secretary General, Vice President, and Executive Vice President.

As the youngest member of the

Junior Chamber International (JCI)

in 2004, Kurt Soliman, 2020 Immedi-

ate Past President (IPP) of JCI Makati,

exuded potential and people were

not short of noticing it. was for

this reason that JCI Senator Danny

Hernandez, past Regional Vice

President of Metro South, was enticed to

recruit Kurt to JCI Makati as a baby

Jaycee. Little did ever one know that it

would be the start of Kurt’s journey to

self-transformation through JCI. The

organization, being true to its goal, taught

Kurt about responsibility, love, respect and

brotherhood through positive change.

KURT SOLIMAN2019 LO President, JCI Makati

In August 2018, Kurt emerged triumphant in a fiercely fought election winning by landslide victory which lets him assume a new role as Chapter President of JCI Makati by November of the same year. He conducted 9 out of 9 General Membership Meetings, Joint General Membership Meeting with Sister Chapters, JCI Makati Princess Urduja and JCI Candon Gold Leaf, and a 9 out of 9 Board of Director Meetings, exhibiting full efficiency in chapter meetings. He also approved the assumption of 56 members as Project Chairman of the projects of JCI Makati for 2018-2019.

Through his leadership, JCI Makati was able to reach over a hundred community projects which benefited cancer patients, abandoned elderlies, abused women, senior citizens, out of school youths, small entrepreneurs, environmental groups and others.

One of the most successful community projects that have made a big impact on the lives of many is the #WeMenCare Community Projects. It encourages young professionals to become leaders in their fields and develop their entrepreneurial skills, a vision very closely knit with that of JCI. With President Kurt at the forefront, the program made it possible for JCI Makati to reach out to those who are poverty-stricken, especially to the children of this margin to help them have a better fighting chance at reaching their dreams and goals as they grow up. The movement, with its 2019 battle cry “Empowered for Greatness, certainly rallied up the spirits of men and women to become

Kurtain Call: A look at the 17 year JCI journey of Kurt Soliman

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the leaders they are destined to be. Through fund-raising projects such as #WeMenCare Block Screenings and Cardrawling, the project was able to raise a total of P300,000 to fund JCI Makati Community Programs. With the strong belief that JCI Makati presents an opportunity to inspire and empower the next generation of young leaders to create positive change within their community, President Kurt was able to lead the members of JCI Makati to create ground-breaking community projects which aim to “Touch People’s Lives”.

He and the entire membership is committed in developing strong relationships with fellow JCI Members by consistently participating in activities hosted and organized by various Local Orders, such as the recent visit of JCI Philippine-New York President Aprille Aquino. He renewed their Twinning Agreement and at the same time organized a project with them through

our #WeMenCare Community Project.

JCI Makati, through the leadership of

President Kurt, made an impact on this

community by encouraging the youth to

Awaken the potential that exists inside

each one by living their lives without fear

or limitations, and to become dynamic

people with a pay-it-forward mindset to

work together towards a better future.

“Being a leader in JCI,

you empower your

members and equip them

with the proper mindset,

resources thru trainings so

we can serve the community

and create positive change

and impact in the process.”

Kurt Soliman2019 President, JCI Makati

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NEVER THINK THAT YOU ARETHE MASTER OF EVERYTHING.SOMETIMES, LISTENING FIRST

CAN GET YOU MORE KNOWLEDGETHAN WHAT YOU ALREADY KNOW.

- Lance Tan

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JCIFIESTA Restoring Hope in The Midst of a Pandemic

Yellow Man made the rounds in Metro Manila to spread the spirit of Fiesta! It may not be possible to celebrate fiestas during ECQ and GCQ, but JCI Makati made the spirit live on.

Donation of sanitary kits and bags of snacks to our front liners from different locations and socially distanced interaction surely put smiles on the faces our our Filipino unsung heroes of this pandemic.

It is not much, but giving importance to them and knowing that Filipinos appreciate them is sometimes enough to warm their heart and made them forget their difficult and compassionate plight during the pandemic.

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LEAGUEOF LEADERS A BITE OF HOPE

The brotherhood and love for country andIts people has no boundaries. Regardless of province, dialect or religion JCI Makatichose to serve and appreciate the hard wok of our front liners.

May they be on the streets delivering items, in the vaccination areas helping implement the program, on the road providing check points, security guards, employees, all are equal in the eyes of the brotherhood. And all are deeply appreciated by JCI Makati.

Hot meals and packed snacks were prepared everyday and were made sure to reach the people fast. Truly, this project helped open JCI Makati members’ heart and mind on what this society needs, and that is compassion.

Brgy. 146 Pasay Rotonda

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Yellow Men in the house! JCI brothers’ Yellow Man concept went to visit the children during their sports fest. Yellow Men brothers brought new sports equipment aside from renovating the sports facilities in Sisters of Mary School – Boys Town.

Children were encouraged to make use of free their time to develop their sense of belongingness while honing their mind-body coordination thru different sports.

This project gave the children a breather from their day to day life and improved camaraderie among the brood of 2,000 boys.

PLAY ITFORWARD

LIFE +SAVERS

Sisters of Mary School

This pandemic brought together LGUs and private organizations to create betteroptions to expedite the help needed by our countrymen.

JCI Makati thru the leadership of Pres. Lance Tan together with Rotary Club of Manila headed by its President Robert Lim Joseph donated 90,000 face masks and PCR test kits.

The donation was personally turned over to Mayor Emi Calixto– Rubiano of PasayCity.

Yellow Men of JCI Makati were also presentto help during the donation turn over. TheItems were carefully planned to really makethem as LIFE SAVERS for the Filipinos.

LIFE +SAVERS School for The Blind

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ElmarNabisa 2021 Director for Community Development

Elmar Nabisa was an indigent living in the mountainous area in Brgy. Tiguihan Pola Oriental Mindoro. Coming from a big family with 12 siblings, there was really a life struggles, walking 8 kms everyday just to attend to school. During weekend he accompanied his mother selling fish and charcoal. Luckily, he finished Elementary and given an opportunity to study in the Foundation “The Sisters of Mary School-Boystown, Silang Cavite”. There were 3,000 students there coming from the poorest of the poor in different provinces of the Philippines. He stayed there for 4 years spending his highschool away from his family. “Nagpapasalamat ako sa Diyos at Kay Fr. Aloysius Schwartz na Found-er ng Foundation na ito sapagkat napakarami ng natutulungan na mahihirap na bata at isa na ako doon. 60% ng buhay ko ay nahubog dito.” With his commitment to finish his schooling, he then apply to be a working student in Abada College in Oriental Mindoro where he was doing janitorial work while studying. With the grace of God, he fin-ished his Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education major in Mathematics. He is now very passionate in empowering the youth. He then go back to Boystown and create sustainable projects tru JCI Makati.

I He joined JCI Makati in October 2017 to be part of its Global Youth Organization to extend the reach of his advocacy which is to empower the youth and educators. JCI Makati, through his efforts, organized different training procedures and mentorships by successful people and networks. By doing so, he found himself empowered as much as it did others. It has taught him life lessons that eventually honed his skills in leading his business to prosper. This life changing outlooks and positivity motivated others to find their own light in their respective fields. This kind of mentality helps with the growth of a healthy competition within the grasp of industries each one of them enters.

Being the current Director for Community Development, he promises to continue to create sustainable projects that will make great impacts to the communities under their wing. He further states that throughout his life, he will live to embrace the service to humanity that is the JCI Creed which he describes as the best work of life.

Edupreneur’s Journey to Excellence and Service

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V t

The 1st Manila Intellectual Property, Innovation, and Business Expo (MIPIBEx) was held last April 19-28, 2021. The very first digital conference ofFilipino young innovators focused on policy, process, product, social and business incubation.

JCI Makati as one of the mentors played an Important role in the cultivation of the projects during the nine-day event. This project was a response to Republic Act 11293 or better known as “PHILIPPINE INNOVATION ACT” that was signed Into law by Pres. Rodrigo Duterte last April 17, 2019.

The project was joined by senior high school students, teachers and community leaders who showcased their creativ ity and talent in innovation during the competition.

MIPIBIEx Manila Education Center

Family is always our first line of security,

but sadly not for the 2,000 children

housed in Sisters of Mary School – Boys

Town in Silang, Cavite.

These children are not nuisance in the

society, they also dream like everybody,

but poverty-inflicted scenarios pushed

them to leave home in search of a safer

place to live. As hurtful as it may seem,

these boys were product of abuse, violence

and neglect in their own home.

To make their idle time useful during

pandemic, JCI Makati brothers decided

to help cultivate these young men to be

balanced by promoting a healthier well-

being thru sports.

PLAY ITFORWARD Sisters of Mary School

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WORLDCONGRESS2021

PP Kurt Soliman will lead JCI Makati’s UNSDGWorld Congress 2021. Slated to happen onJuly 24, 2021, the LO members will help Promote the 17 goals thru an innovativestyle of presentation focusing on the the vison per goal of UNSDG.

Other organizations will be joining the eventWhile encouraging more youths to participateto be able to instill in them the importanceOf UNSDG in preparing a better future for theSociety and the world. The National YouthCommission headed by its Chairman Ryan Enriquez already signed a Memorandum ofAgreement with JCI Makati to support thisproject.

LAUNCHING - NYC Building

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Further Easing of Restrictions inMetro ManilaSource: https://www.straitstimes.com/Date: June 15, 2021

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte yesterday further eased restrictions in Metro Manila and four nearby provinces, as Covid-19 infections remain under control in an area that covers a quarter of the country’s population.

But tight curbs were kept or expanded in places reeling from a wave of infections, including Mr. Duterte’s home town, Davao City. Health Secretary Francisco Duque said cases in Metro Manila continue to plateau. Mr Duterte said restrictions would remain till enough Filipinos are inoculated against Covid-19. The Philippines has vaccinated just 4.3 per cent of its population of some 100 million, lagging behind most of its Asean neighbours.

“I know you want to go out. I know you’re itching to travel. But please do it some other time,” said Mr Duterte. Curfew in Metro Manila - home to some 13 million - is now from midnight till 4am, instead of 10pm to 4am. Bigger gatherings in more public places are also now allowed.Restaurants, barber shops and salons can fill half their indoor space, up from just 30 per cent before. Legal, financial, outsourcing, tech and retail services firms may reopen their offices, but only half their workforce can be onsite.

Churches can fill up to half their seats during Sunday services. The easing of rules also extends to the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan and Rizal. Tourism Secretary Bernadette Puyat expects the Philippines to lift quarantine requirements for tourists from abroad who have been fully vaccinated. A report by Octa Research Group showed Metro Manila averaging 892 cases a day in the past week. That was 15 per cent less than the previous week.

Metro Manila now accounts for just 27 per cent of new cases, from as high as 94 per cent during the peak of a surge monitored from March 29 to April 4. The Philippines has recorded over 1.32 million cases, and close to 23,000 have died. It has the second worst outbreak in South-east Asia, after Indonesia. Since imposing a sweeping lockdown in March and April, it has managed to keep infections down to between 6,000 and 7,000 a day. That is far below the 15,000 at the height of the surge, but still higher than the 3,000 to 4,000 average daily cases last year.

Officials said cases have not fallen to last year’s levels because of spikes in the country’s central and southern areas. Davao still has the most cases among densely populated cities, though there has been some improvement. It now averages 180 a day, down from 194.Another high-risk area is Dumaguete City, where cases have surged by 129 per cent over a one-week period.

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In support of the global effort to lessen

the use of dirty fuel and limit the of fossil

Fuel, JCI Makati helped promote the EARTH

HOUR and the LO members participated

in the hour-long zero use of electricity.

Each must take a step and do his part to

help heal the environment. Educating the

people of the root cause and the vision of

a healthier earth should have started yes-

terday, and not now. It is never too late

Though, for as long as we commit to

Preserve the earth for the future

generations, then it is one step better

than not doing anything at all. The

simplest ways: conserve water, energy

and promote recycling.

The 6th Positive Impact on Nation Change (P.I.N.C.) Congress is just one of the congresses held on its 3rd year.

The event focused on youth empowerment in terms of entrepreneurial mindset. Original Filipino Leadership way “STEP Back” showed early mode of leadership ofThe early Filipinos which is still being followed by the indigenous group in Benguet. Business in the modern digital era was discussed as well as digital marketing’s role to pivot to the new normal and how to better reach the market specific for the business.

EARTHHOUR

PINC2021

Turn off your lights for our planet

YOUTH CONFERENCE 2021

On its 45th year, the TEN OUTSTANDING STUDENTS OF MAKATI (TOSM) specially chose the The Sisters of Mary School –Boys Town to be their beneficiary for this year.

Twenty young boys were pre-screened for the finals, but in the end Pres. Lance Tan together with 2021 BOD of JCI Makati decided to announce the 10 TOSM, but surprised everybody when all 20 finalists were given the prize package the same as those of the TOSM.

It is by giving these young boys the Opportunity and to recognize their God-given talent and their positive outlook that made them stand from the rest.

TOSM helped bring back their faith in themselves and made these young boy believe in the goodness of humanity.

TENOUTSTANDINGSTUDENTSOF MAKATI The Sisters of Mary School

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MINDaNOW Uniting of Culture and Traditions

The solar lamp post lighting ceremony, symbolizes hope and love for them coming all the way from Luzon. The project was a symbolic act of love from one Filipino to another. It aimed to let the people of Marawi know that they are not forgotten, but rather they are included in the prayers of all Filipinos, because we share the same land and blood.

Since the Marawi siege in May 2017, thestreets in Marawi were left in darkness. This restricted the people to do their tasks and rayers at night. Women and children were also afraid to go out at night, because there was zero lighting available.

Their plight has reached JCI Makati that led the LO to partner with Rotary Club of Manila to be able to donate and implement the lighting project. Solar Lamps were installed Thru BAYANIHAN of of the people, JCI Makati, and Rotary Club of Manila.

100 children aged 7-12 years old attended the ONE RAMADAN, A Feast for Peace were treated with outside school learning. A painting workshop was also conducted where all children were given free painting materials. The paintings will be auctioned off in Manila. The proceeds will be sent back to the children of Marawi to help fund their school supply needs.

Likewise, 100 active youths attended the seminar given by League of Leaders via live stream. Entrepreneurial ideology and mindset was tackled during the session to encourage more youths to challenge themselves and see if they have an entrepreneurial dream.

ONE WITHRAMADAN A Feast for Peace

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SidCuesta 2021 Vice President - External

Sidney Cuesta, also known as ‘Sid,’ was an average college student. He doesn’t have unique talents nor special awards. He was the silent type of student who sits at the back of the classroom. Trying to survive his way into college , this young gentleman began his first business venture by retailing almost anything just to pay for his tuition fee, from raw chickens, school supplies and automobile spare parts. The 26-year-old launched his company, Proactive Mindsetters Events Services, before he earned his Business Administration degree from Colegio de San Juan de Letran Calamba in 2018. To this day, his company is an industry leader in events management, trainings, workshops for the academe and non-profit organizations in the country. The firm is passionately enriching individuals and small businesses in order to gain competitive advantage, and meet global industry standards. Sid is also the managing partner of Marzie Trading, a company that provides business essential products at a wholesale price. Plus, he’s active in Laguna Personnel Outsourcing, a small Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) company founded by his father. He helps the business through the support of home-based admin workers in order to expand the company’s services to telemarketing, business intelligence, digital marketing, and more. However, truth be told, Sid admitted that he wasn’t very confident in putting up his own company at the beginning.

Sid fondly recalled his first project with JCI, Tahanan Sta. Luisa. He met young children who were mistreated and molested through this endeavor, and this really struck a chord with him. The experience made him realize his blessings, and he also felt that it was his duty to use his resources and provide some guidance in order to give those children an opportunity to lead better lives. “Noong una, nag-alit ako na nabastos sila nang ganun pero na-realize ko na kailangan ko rin sila tulungan mag-move on.

As JCI Makati’s incoming Vice President for External Affairs, Sid remains committed in helping the JCI brotherhood grow even more, and also giving more people opportunities to have a better tomorrow. “It was through JCI that I found meaning in the words ‘your network is your net worth.’ This applies not only to one’s career, but as an overall individual. Invest-ment in good people is an investment for yourself as a person. Through the brotherhood, I realized how I’ve been blessed with a lot of amazing opportunities, and I plan to use these to be of service to others.”

CuestaRising Star

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SINAG ARALAN is a project that aims to build actual physical library to promote habitual reading among the youth sector.

JCI Makati would like to thank the 57 LOs who participated in this event, Rotary Club of Manila, Kiwanis Club of Makati, Makati Tourism Foundation, Toast Masters, and all individuals who sent their book contributions. This is just a start of a future forward youth “readers”.

SINAG-ARALAN

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